WH Group chief cautious over Smithfield China expansion due to pork glut

File Photo: Some of the products of WH Group are displayed in front of maps of China (L) and the United States at a news conference on the company's IPO in Hong Kong April 14, 2014. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

BEIJING (Reuters) - China’s WH Group Ltd (0288.HK) will be cautious about expanding Smithfield’s pork processing operations in China due to over-capacity in the world’s biggest pork market, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Wan Long said in an interview on Tuesday.

Speaking on the sidelines of parliament’s annual meeting, Wan said he expects pork prices to fall to an average of 14 yuan to 15 yuan ($4.20) per kilogram this year after hitting a record high in 2016.